It was a shock for 35-year-old Daniel Bowman when he found out he was taking part in Come Dine With Me - because his wife had applied for him.

The keen cook, from Minster, said the first he knew about it was when the show contacted him.

Mr Bowman said his wife Tash, 31, applied as she got sick of him watching cooking shows on the television and telling the contestants how to do things.

Mr Bowman said: "Tash thought 'right, put your money where your mouth is', and applied for me.

"I have always enjoyed cooking, but it was a bit of a shock."

Prison officer Mr Bowman battles it out for the cash prize on Sunday, November 22, against contestants from Sittingbourne, Faversham and Gillingham.

He said he was amazed at how stressful the experience was, not because of the cooking but trying to get everything ship-shape for the three complete strangers who come into your house.

The dad-of-one said: "The amount of stress - you want your house perfect for three absolute strangers.

"We haven't got a dining room so had to convert the conservatory.

"The cooking side of it was not a problem, it was a piece of cake, it was the run up that was stressful."

Mr Bowman wasn't giving too much away, but did reveal the spread he laid on included chips.

He is from the north of England originally and wanted to make sure there was a northern influence on his menu.

It hots up after dinner when the contestants head for Mr Bowman's Jacuzzi in the back garden.

Another shock to Mr Bowman was how seriously he took the competition, even though the prize isn't huge.

He said it's everybody for themselves and it becomes very dog eat dog.

He added: "It was well worth it - I really enjoyed it and would do it again.

"I had a fantastic week.

"I think the other contestants were surprised when I cooked.

"My daughter [Davina, seven,] is very proud of me. She helped me collect the eggs from our chickens in the morning."

• To find out if Mr Bowman scoops the prize, tune in to Come Dine With Me on Channel 4 at 8pm on Sunday, November 22

Come Dine With Me is famous for the often scathing commentary of Dave Lamb.

The preview for the show reveals "cock-sure" Mr Bowman, who thinks he is unstoppable, is up against a self-confessed Stepford wife, a food snob and a domestic goddess.

Mr Bowman said the worst contestant in his opinion was the cook on the last day who served up nothing more than pub grub.

Mr Bowman admits: "I was very confident because I love cooking.

"I come into the kitchen to relax - it's where I find my karma.

"My wife was around during filming and she kept saying I was coming across as really cocky."

A rivalry also brews between the two female contestants on the show.